YOU ARE IN BEAR COUNTRY

A Guide to Safety

National Parks introduce visitors to a landscape that is uniquely Canadian. But these parks are more than scenic wonderlands. They are home to many animals that depend on wilderness areas for their survival. For some, like the grizzly bear, national parks may be the critical core of a territory that can extend far beyond the park boundaries.

Why bears do what they do.

Bear attacks are uncommon. Wild animals generally prefer to avoid people and bears are no exception. Most encounters between bears and people occur when the bear's natural avoidance behaviour shifts to aggression because of the following factors:

1. You surprise them.2. They are protecting young or food.3. They follow food and food-like odours to you.4. Your dog provokes an attack.5. The bear you encounter is habituated to people and has lost its natural fear.

The following guidelines to safety in bear habitat are just that guidelines. Bear behaviour is hard to predict because they are complex animals. Each bear is an individual with the potential to react differently in different situations. The information that follows will give you some basics on how to avoid an encounter in the first place and guidance on how to react should one occur.

Parks Canada recommends carrying bear spray with you at all times on the trail.

Bear Spray

Research indicates that bear spray can be effective with some bears when used properly. If you plan to carry it, be aware that wind, spray distance, rain, freezing temperatures and product shelf life can all influence its effectiveness. Familiarize yourself with the proper use of bear spray (including the manufacturer's specific instructions) and keep it readily accessible. However, the best way to live safely with bears is to avoid contact with them.

AVOIDING an encounter

Travel in groups.Make noise!Watch for fresh bear sign.Never approach a bear. (Always maintain a distance of at least 100 metres).Keep your dog on a leash at all times.

HANDLING an encounter

Stay calm and don't alarm the bear with screams or sudden movements. Remain still, stand your ground & assess the situation. Your calm behaviour can reassure it. Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by 'woofing', growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. It's difficult but important to remain calm if a bear reacts to you this way. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack.

Speak to the bear. Let the bear hear your voice talk calmly and firmly. This lets the bear know you are human and not a prey animal. If a bear rears on its hind legs and waves its nose about, it is trying to identify you.

Back away slowly when the bear is stationary, never run! Running may trigger a pursuit and bears can run as fast as a racehorse, both uphill and downhill.

Make yourself less vulnerable pick up small children and stay in a group.

Don't drop your pack. It can provide protection.

Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.

Handling an ATTACK

Most encounters with bears end without injury. If a bear actually makes contact, you may increase your chances of survival by following these guidelines. In general, there are 2 kinds of attack:

DEFENSIVE

What is the bear's behaviour?

The bear is feeding, protecting its young and/or unaware of your presence. It attacks because it sees you as a threat.

Use bear spray. If the bear makes contact with you: PLAY DEAD!

PLAY DEAD. Lie on your stomach with legs apart and position your arms so that your hands are crossed behind your neck. This position makes you less vulnerable to being flipped over and protects your face, the back of your head and neck. Remain still until you are sure the bear has left the area.

These defensive attacks are generally less than two minutes in duration. If the attack continues, it may mean the attack has shifted from defensive to predatory fight back!

Bottom line?

It is very difficult to predict the best strategy to use in the event of a bear attack. That is why it is so important to put thought and energy into avoiding an encounter in the first place.

PREDATORY

The bear is stalking (hunting) you along a trail and then attacks. Or, the bear attacks you at night.

Try to escape into a building, car or up a tree. DON'T PLAY DEAD. If you can't escape, use bear spray and fight back!

FIGHT BACK!Intimidate that bear: shout; hit it with a branch or rock, do whatever it takes to let the bear know you are not easy prey. This kind of attack is very rare but it is serious because it usually means the bear is looking for food and preying on you.

Bear Resistant Food Canisters

Are recommended for overnight backcountry trips in many parks. In Kluane National Park and Reserve they are mandatory for overnight backcountry trips on many trails. Check with park staff before your trip.

Backcountry Camping

To stay safe and protect wilderness, travel with two goals in mind: limiting your impact by avoiding encounters and managing your food, food smells and garbage.

Leave smelly cosmetics at home Store toiletries and personal items with food.

Use bear-resistant storage containers that provide for food and garbage storage. Food canisters are mandatory in some northern national parks for overnight backcountry trips.

Store your food, pet food, livestock feed and garbage away from your tent . Hang between two trees at least 4 metres above the ground and 1.3 metres from top and side supports.

Wash and store all dishes and food utensils immediately after use . Strain food particles from dish water and store with garbage. Dump dishwater in designated areas or at least 100 metres from your sleeping area.

Bears are extremely sensitive to the stress of human activity. You can actually help protect these animals by avoiding encounters with them. Bears are extremely sensitive to the stress of human activity. You can actually help protect these animals by avoiding encounters with them.